[Content warning: The film features sexual violence and the following review discusses sexual violence.]
While Bravo and Harris could have chosen to sit heavily in the weight of this cautionary tale, this deftly written road-trip story is held up by a scaffolding of excitement and mirth, channeling the zest of being young, hot, and out of fucks to give. When title character Zola (Taylor Paige) meets Stefani (Riley Keough) and they vibe instantly, the magic of the moment is punctuated by chimes and whistles. The subsequent sound design of the film smartly employs cell phone clicks and alerts, and sampled orchestral music as the engine of the subconscious—revving up in moments of satisfaction, and tinkling and pinging like psychic red flags in moments of danger.
Dir. Janicza Bravo, 90 min., R, in wide release in theaters including AMC Theatres, Logan Theatre, Regal Theatres, and Showplace ICON
